askcli: show task aliases in output (cd322ed1-882d-40e9-ab98-689acd5f161e)

16 files changed, 426 insertions, 95 deletions

diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_delete.go b/internal/askcli/command_delete.go
index 64bcdfc..24753d5 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_delete.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_delete.go
@@ -21,6 +21,6 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDelete(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Re
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go
index ff3f435..7d049c6 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go
@@ -11,6 +11,23 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestHandleDelete_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid-123", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid-123" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid-123","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -26,8 +43,8 @@ func TestHandleDelete_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("delete returned error: %v", err)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid-123") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid-123") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 	if stderr.Len() > 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("stderr should be empty, got %q", stderr.String())
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_dep.go b/internal/askcli/command_dep.go
index 403afee..0508b39 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_dep.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_dep.go
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDepAddRm(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -75,7 +75,16 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDepList(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, st
 	if len(task.Depends) == 0 {
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "no dependencies\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, strings.Join(task.Depends, "\n")+"\n")
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliasesForUUIDs(task.Depends)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		ids := make([]string, 0, len(task.Depends))
+		for _, uuid := range task.Depends {
+			ids = append(ids, displayTaskAlias(uuid, aliases))
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, strings.Join(ids, "\n")+"\n")
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go
index 8045df3..408ef86 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go
@@ -11,6 +11,24 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestHandleDep_AddSuccess(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	var capturedArgs []string
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[1] == "export" {
@@ -30,8 +48,8 @@ func TestHandleDep_AddSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("dep add code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 	// Verify uuid:<uuid> is the filter (not a modification argument).
 	if len(capturedArgs) < 3 || capturedArgs[0] != "uuid:uuid-1" || capturedArgs[1] != "modify" {
@@ -60,6 +78,25 @@ func TestHandleDep_RmSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleDep_ListSuccess(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 3,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "dep-1", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "dep-2", Alias: "2", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":10,"depends":["dep-1","dep-2"]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		io.WriteString(stdout, jsonData)
@@ -71,8 +108,8 @@ func TestHandleDep_ListSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("dep list code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
 	output := stdout.String()
-	if !strings.Contains(output, "dep-1") || !strings.Contains(output, "dep-2") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want deps", output)
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "1") || !strings.Contains(output, "2") || strings.Contains(output, "dep-1") || strings.Contains(output, "dep-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want alias deps only", output)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go b/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go
index 030cf62..5332e71 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go
@@ -24,7 +24,13 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleInfo(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stder
 		stdout.Write(data)
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskInfo(tasks[0]))
+		allUUIDs := append([]string{tasks[0].UUID}, tasks[0].Depends...)
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliasesForUUIDs(allUUIDs)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskInfo(tasks[0], displayTaskAlias(tasks[0].UUID, aliases), aliases))
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go
index 46996f7..a7a7bc2 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go
@@ -11,6 +11,24 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestHandleInfo_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "dep-1", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Test task","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["cli","agent"],"urgency":15.0,"depends":["dep-1"],"annotations":[{"description":"Note 1","entry":"2026-03-22T10:00:00Z"}]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		// args[0] is "uuid:<uuid>" (the filter); emit data for any export call
@@ -25,6 +43,9 @@ func TestHandleInfo_Success(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("info code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
 	output := stdout.String()
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "ID:          0") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing alias ID: %s", output)
+	}
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "test-uuid") {
 		t.Fatalf("output missing UUID: %s", output)
 	}
@@ -34,6 +55,9 @@ func TestHandleInfo_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "Started:     no") {
 		t.Fatalf("output missing explicit started state: %s", output)
 	}
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "Depends:     1 (dep-1)") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing formatted dependency alias: %s", output)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestHandleInfo_AliasSelector(t *testing.T) {
@@ -67,8 +91,8 @@ func TestHandleInfo_AliasSelector(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("info code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want resolved UUID", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ID:          0") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "UUID:        test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want alias and UUID", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -84,6 +108,16 @@ func TestHandleInfo_NumericID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleInfo_MissingUUID(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"started-uuid","description":"Started task","status":"pending","priority":"M","start":"2026-03-26T10:00:00Z","urgency":5.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "started" && args[1] == "export" {
@@ -96,8 +130,8 @@ func TestHandleInfo_MissingUUID(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("info code = %d, want 0 for implicit started task", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "started-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing started task UUID: %s", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ID:          0") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "UUID:        started-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing alias and started task UUID: %s", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_list.go b/internal/askcli/command_list.go
index ef8c22f..c95707e 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_list.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_list.go
@@ -61,7 +61,12 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleListWithFilters(ctx context.Context, initialFilters, e
 		stdout.Write(data)
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks))
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliases(tasks)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks, aliases))
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go
index dade889..83dc1b8 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go
@@ -4,11 +4,31 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"io"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 )
 
 func TestHandleList_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task 1","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["cli"],"start":"2026-03-26T10:00:00Z","urgency":15.0,"depends":[]},{"uuid":"uuid-2","description":"Task 2","status":"completed","priority":"M","tags":["agent"],"urgency":10.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -25,8 +45,11 @@ func TestHandleList_Success(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("list code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
 	output := stdout.String()
-	if !strings.Contains(output, "uuid-1") || !strings.Contains(output, "uuid-2") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing UUIDs: %s", output)
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "ID") || strings.Contains(output, "UUID") {
+		t.Fatalf("output should use ID column: %s", output)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "0") || !strings.Contains(output, "1") || strings.Contains(output, "uuid-1") || strings.Contains(output, "uuid-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing aliases or leaking UUIDs: %s", output)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "Started") || !strings.Contains(output, "yes") || !strings.Contains(output, "no") {
 		t.Fatalf("output missing explicit started state: %s", output)
@@ -34,6 +57,24 @@ func TestHandleList_Success(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleList_SortedByPriority(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-2","description":"Task 2","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":10.0,"depends":[]},{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task 1","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":[],"urgency":5.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -49,8 +90,8 @@ func TestHandleList_SortedByPriority(t *testing.T) {
 	output := stdout.String()
 	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimSpace(output), "\n")
 	taskLine1 := lines[2]
-	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("first task should be H priority (uuid-1), got: %s", taskLine1)
+	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "0") || strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("first task should be H priority alias 0, got: %s", taskLine1)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -72,6 +113,23 @@ func TestHandleList_EmptyList(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleAll_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Done task","status":"completed","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -87,12 +145,29 @@ func TestHandleAll_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("all code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing uuid-1: %s", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("output should show alias only: %s", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
 func TestHandleReady_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-ready", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-ready","description":"Ready task","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["READY"],"urgency":20.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -108,8 +183,8 @@ func TestHandleReady_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("ready code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-ready") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing uuid-ready: %s", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-ready") {
+		t.Fatalf("output should show alias only: %s", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go b/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go
index a228f27..0a6bf65 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go
@@ -32,7 +32,12 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleUrgency(ctx context.Context, stdout, stderr io.Writer)
 		stdout.Write(data)
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks))
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliases(tasks)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks, aliases))
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go
index 45ec5f5..dd6262d 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go
@@ -4,11 +4,31 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"io"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 )
 
 func TestHandleUrgency_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-2","description":"Task 2","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":["agent"],"urgency":10.0,"depends":[]},{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task 1","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["cli"],"urgency":15.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		io.WriteString(stdout, jsonData)
@@ -26,11 +46,11 @@ func TestHandleUrgency_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	taskLine1 := lines[2]
 	taskLine2 := lines[3]
-	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("first task line should contain uuid-1 (urgency 15.0), got: %s", taskLine1)
+	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "0") || strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("first task line should contain alias 0 (urgency 15.0), got: %s", taskLine1)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(taskLine2, "uuid-2") {
-		t.Fatalf("second task line should contain uuid-2 (urgency 10.0), got: %s", taskLine2)
+	if !strings.Contains(taskLine2, "1") || strings.Contains(taskLine2, "uuid-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("second task line should contain alias 1 (urgency 10.0), got: %s", taskLine2)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_write.go b/internal/askcli/command_write.go
index afa1475..643f74e 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_write.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_write.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDenotate(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleModify(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, std
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleAnnotate(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleStart(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stde
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleStop(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stder
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDone(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stder
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handlePriority(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -162,6 +162,6 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleTag(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stderr
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go
index 2ed5fc9..31ea25a 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go
@@ -49,6 +49,23 @@ func TestHandleStart_AliasSelector(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleDenotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -64,8 +81,8 @@ func TestHandleDenotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("denotate returned error: %v", err)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -94,6 +111,23 @@ func TestHandleDenotate_MissingArgs(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleModify_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -106,8 +140,8 @@ func TestHandleModify_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("modify code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -124,6 +158,23 @@ func TestHandleModify_NumericID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleAnnotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -136,8 +187,8 @@ func TestHandleAnnotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("annotate code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -154,6 +205,23 @@ func TestHandleAnnotate_MissingArgs(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleStart_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -166,8 +234,8 @@ func TestHandleStart_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("start code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/dispatch.go b/internal/askcli/dispatch.go
index b361111..7cb217b 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/dispatch.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/dispatch.go
@@ -92,20 +92,20 @@ func (d Dispatcher) help(w io.Writer) (int, error) {
 	io.WriteString(w, "  ask list [filters]           List active tasks (default)\n")
 	io.WriteString(w, "  ask ready                   List READY tasks (not blocked)\n")
 	io.WriteString(w, "  ask all [filters]            List all tasks including completed/deleted\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask info [uuid]               Show task details or current started task\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask annotate <uuid> \"note\"    Add annotation to task\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask start <uuid>              Start working on task\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask stop <uuid>               Stop working on task\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask done <uuid>               Mark task complete\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask priority <uuid> <P>        Set priority (H/M/L)\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask tag <uuid> +/-<tag>       Add or remove tag\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask dep add <uuid> <dep-uuid> Add dependency\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask dep rm <uuid> <dep-uuid> Remove dependency\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask dep list <uuid>           List dependencies\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask info [id|uuid]            Show task details or current started task\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask annotate <id|uuid> \"note\" Add annotation to task\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask start <id|uuid>           Start working on task\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask stop <id|uuid>            Stop work on a task\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask done <id|uuid>            Mark task complete\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask priority <id|uuid> <P>    Set priority (H/M/L)\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask tag <id|uuid> +/-<tag>    Add or remove tag\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask dep add <id|uuid> <dep>   Add dependency\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask dep rm <id|uuid> <dep>    Remove dependency\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask dep list <id|uuid>        List dependencies\n")
 	io.WriteString(w, "  ask urgency                   List tasks sorted by urgency\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask modify <uuid> <args...>   Modify task fields\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask denotate <uuid> \"text\"     Remove annotation\n")
-	io.WriteString(w, "  ask delete <uuid>             Delete task\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask modify <id|uuid> <args...> Modify task fields\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask denotate <id|uuid> \"text\" Remove annotation\n")
+	io.WriteString(w, "  ask delete <id|uuid>          Delete a task\n")
 	io.WriteString(w, "  ask fish                      Emit Fish shell completion script\n")
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/formatter.go b/internal/askcli/formatter.go
index f4c0104..7ca9225 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/formatter.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/formatter.go
@@ -3,16 +3,17 @@ package askcli
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 )
 
-func FormatTaskList(tasks []TaskExport) string {
-	widths := taskListWidthsFor(tasks)
+func FormatTaskList(tasks []TaskExport, aliases map[string]string) string {
+	widths := taskListWidthsFor(tasks, aliases)
 	var b strings.Builder
 	writeTaskListHeader(&b, widths)
 	writeTaskListSeparator(&b, widths)
 	for _, t := range tasks {
-		writeTaskListRow(&b, widths, t)
+		writeTaskListRow(&b, widths, t, aliases)
 	}
 	return b.String()
 }
@@ -20,18 +21,18 @@ func FormatTaskList(tasks []TaskExport) string {
 type taskListWidths struct {
 	Urgency     int
 	Priority    int
-	UUID        int
+	ID          int
 	Status      int
 	Started     int
 	Tags        int
 	Description int
 }
 
-func taskListWidthsFor(tasks []TaskExport) taskListWidths {
+func taskListWidthsFor(tasks []TaskExport, aliases map[string]string) taskListWidths {
 	widths := taskListWidths{
 		Urgency:     len("Urgency"),
 		Priority:    len("Priority"),
-		UUID:        len("UUID"),
+		ID:          len("ID"),
 		Status:      len("Status"),
 		Started:     len("Started"),
 		Tags:        len("Tags"),
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ func taskListWidthsFor(tasks []TaskExport) taskListWidths {
 	for _, t := range tasks {
 		widths.Urgency = maxInt(widths.Urgency, len(fmt.Sprintf("%.1f", t.Urgency)))
 		widths.Priority = maxInt(widths.Priority, len(t.Priority))
-		widths.UUID = maxInt(widths.UUID, len(t.UUID))
+		widths.ID = maxInt(widths.ID, len(displayTaskAlias(t.UUID, aliases)))
 		widths.Status = maxInt(widths.Status, len(t.Status))
 		widths.Started = maxInt(widths.Started, len(formatTaskStarted(t)))
 		widths.Tags = maxInt(widths.Tags, len(formatTaskTags(t.Tags)))
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ func writeTaskListHeader(b *strings.Builder, widths taskListWidths) {
 	fmt.Fprintf(b, "%-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s\n",
 		widths.Urgency, "Urgency",
 		widths.Priority, "Priority",
-		widths.UUID, "UUID",
+		widths.ID, "ID",
 		widths.Status, "Status",
 		widths.Started, "Started",
 		widths.Tags, "Tags",
@@ -62,15 +63,15 @@ func writeTaskListHeader(b *strings.Builder, widths taskListWidths) {
 }
 
 func writeTaskListSeparator(b *strings.Builder, widths taskListWidths) {
-	total := widths.Urgency + widths.Priority + widths.UUID + widths.Status + widths.Started + widths.Tags + widths.Description + 18
+	total := widths.Urgency + widths.Priority + widths.ID + widths.Status + widths.Started + widths.Tags + widths.Description + 18
 	io.WriteString(b, strings.Repeat("-", total)+"\n")
 }
 
-func writeTaskListRow(b *strings.Builder, widths taskListWidths, t TaskExport) {
+func writeTaskListRow(b *strings.Builder, widths taskListWidths, t TaskExport, aliases map[string]string) {
 	fmt.Fprintf(b, "%-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s\n",
 		widths.Urgency, fmt.Sprintf("%.1f", t.Urgency),
 		widths.Priority, t.Priority,
-		widths.UUID, t.UUID,
+		widths.ID, displayTaskAlias(t.UUID, aliases),
 		widths.Status, t.Status,
 		widths.Started, formatTaskStarted(t),
 		widths.Tags, formatTaskTags(t.Tags),
@@ -106,8 +107,9 @@ func maxInt(a, b int) int {
 	return b
 }
 
-func FormatTaskInfo(t TaskExport) string {
+func FormatTaskInfo(t TaskExport, alias string, dependencyAliases map[string]string) string {
 	var b strings.Builder
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "ID:          %s\n", alias)
 	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "UUID:        %s\n", t.UUID)
 	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Description: %s\n", t.Description)
 	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Status:      %s\n", t.Status)
@@ -121,7 +123,7 @@ func FormatTaskInfo(t TaskExport) string {
 		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Start time:  %s\n", t.Start)
 	}
 	if len(t.Depends) > 0 {
-		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Depends:     %s\n", strings.Join(t.Depends, ", "))
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Depends:     %s\n", formatTaskDependencies(t.Depends, dependencyAliases))
 	}
 	if len(t.Annotations) > 0 {
 		io.WriteString(&b, "Annotations:\n")
@@ -132,17 +134,45 @@ func FormatTaskInfo(t TaskExport) string {
 	return b.String()
 }
 
-func FormatSuccess(uuid string) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("ok %s\n", uuid)
+func FormatSuccess(alias string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("ok %s\n", alias)
 }
 
-func FormatError(err error, uuid string) string {
-	if uuid != "" {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("error %s: %v\n", uuid, err)
+func FormatError(err error, taskID string) string {
+	if taskID != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("error %s: %v\n", taskID, err)
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("error: %v\n", err)
 }
 
+func displayResolvedTaskID(resolved resolvedTaskSelector) string {
+	return displayTaskAlias(resolved.UUID, map[string]string{resolved.UUID: resolved.Alias})
+}
+
+func displayTaskAlias(uuid string, aliases map[string]string) string {
+	if alias := strings.TrimSpace(aliases[uuid]); alias != "" {
+		return alias
+	}
+	return uuid
+}
+
+func formatTaskDependencies(depends []string, aliases map[string]string) string {
+	items := make([]string, 0, len(depends))
+	for _, uuid := range depends {
+		items = append(items, formatTaskReference(uuid, aliases))
+	}
+	slices.Sort(items)
+	return strings.Join(items, ", ")
+}
+
+func formatTaskReference(uuid string, aliases map[string]string) string {
+	alias := strings.TrimSpace(aliases[uuid])
+	if alias == "" || alias == uuid {
+		return uuid
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s)", alias, uuid)
+}
+
 // NormalizeUUID strips any leading "uuid:" prefix so callers can accept
 // both "uuid:<value>" and bare UUID strings interchangeably. The returned
 // value is always a plain UUID ready to be prefixed again when building
diff --git a/internal/askcli/formatter_test.go b/internal/askcli/formatter_test.go
index 52632f5..c99effd 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/formatter_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/formatter_test.go
@@ -12,22 +12,23 @@ func TestFormatTaskList(t *testing.T) {
 		{UUID: "uuid-2", Description: strings.Repeat("a", 100), Status: "completed", Priority: "M", Tags: []string{"agent", "test"}, Urgency: 5.0},
 		{UUID: "uuid-3", Description: "No tags task", Status: "waiting", Priority: "L", Tags: []string{}, Urgency: 8.0},
 	}
-	output := FormatTaskList(tasks)
+	aliases := map[string]string{"uuid-1": "0", "uuid-2": "1", "uuid-3": "2"}
+	output := FormatTaskList(tasks, aliases)
 	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimSpace(output), "\n")
 	if len(lines) < 3 {
 		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskList produced too few lines: %d", len(lines))
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(lines[0], "UUID") || !strings.Contains(lines[0], "Priority") {
-		t.Fatalf("header missing UUID or Priority column: %s", lines[0])
+	if !strings.Contains(lines[0], "ID") || !strings.Contains(lines[0], "Priority") {
+		t.Fatalf("header missing ID or Priority column: %s", lines[0])
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(lines[0], "Started") {
 		t.Fatalf("header missing Started column: %s", lines[0])
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(lines[2], "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("first task line missing uuid-1: %s", lines[2])
+	if !strings.Contains(lines[2], "0") || strings.Contains(lines[2], "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("first task line should show alias only: %s", lines[2])
 	}
-	if strings.Contains(lines[2], "...") {
-		t.Fatalf("long description should be truncated with ...: %s", lines[2])
+	if !strings.Contains(lines[3], "...") {
+		t.Fatalf("long description should be truncated with ...: %s", lines[3])
 	}
 }
 
@@ -51,17 +52,18 @@ func TestFormatTaskList_AlignsHeaderAndSeparator(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	output := FormatTaskList(tasks)
+	aliases := map[string]string{"uuid-short": "0", "uuid-with-a-longer-value": "00"}
+	output := FormatTaskList(tasks, aliases)
 	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(output, "\n"), "\n")
 	if len(lines) != 4 {
 		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskList produced %d lines, want 4: %q", len(lines), output)
 	}
 
-	widths := taskListWidthsFor(tasks)
+	widths := taskListWidthsFor(tasks, aliases)
 	wantHeader := fmt.Sprintf("%-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s | %-*s",
 		widths.Urgency, "Urgency",
 		widths.Priority, "Priority",
-		widths.UUID, "UUID",
+		widths.ID, "ID",
 		widths.Status, "Status",
 		widths.Started, "Started",
 		widths.Tags, "Tags",
@@ -75,6 +77,15 @@ func TestFormatTaskList_AlignsHeaderAndSeparator(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestFormatTaskList_FallsBackToUUIDWithoutAlias(t *testing.T) {
+	tasks := []TaskExport{{UUID: "uuid-1", Description: "Task", Status: "pending", Priority: "H", Urgency: 1.0}}
+
+	output := FormatTaskList(tasks, nil)
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskList should fall back to UUID when alias is unavailable: %s", output)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestFormatTaskInfo(t *testing.T) {
 	task := TaskExport{
 		UUID:        "test-uuid",
@@ -92,7 +103,10 @@ func TestFormatTaskInfo(t *testing.T) {
 			{Description: "First note", Entry: "2026-03-22T11:00:00Z"},
 		},
 	}
-	output := FormatTaskInfo(task)
+	output := FormatTaskInfo(task, "0", map[string]string{"dep-1": "1", "dep-2": "2"})
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "ID:          0") {
+		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskInfo missing alias ID: %s", output)
+	}
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "test-uuid") {
 		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskInfo missing UUID: %s", output)
 	}
@@ -108,8 +122,8 @@ func TestFormatTaskInfo(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "cli, agent") {
 		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskInfo missing tags: %s", output)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(output, "dep-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskInfo missing depends: %s", output)
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "1 (dep-1)") || !strings.Contains(output, "2 (dep-2)") {
+		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskInfo missing formatted depends: %s", output)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "First note") {
 		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskInfo missing annotation: %s", output)
@@ -117,17 +131,17 @@ func TestFormatTaskInfo(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestFormatSuccess(t *testing.T) {
-	output := FormatSuccess("test-uuid")
-	if !strings.Contains(output, "ok") || !strings.Contains(output, "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("FormatSuccess = %q, want ok + uuid", output)
+	output := FormatSuccess("0")
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "ok") || !strings.Contains(output, "0") {
+		t.Fatalf("FormatSuccess = %q, want ok + alias", output)
 	}
 }
 
 func TestFormatError(t *testing.T) {
 	err := &testError{msg: "something went wrong"}
-	output := FormatError(err, "uuid-123")
-	if !strings.Contains(output, "error") || !strings.Contains(output, "uuid-123") || !strings.Contains(output, "something went wrong") {
-		t.Fatalf("FormatError = %q, want error + uuid + message", output)
+	output := FormatError(err, "0")
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "error") || !strings.Contains(output, "0") || !strings.Contains(output, "something went wrong") {
+		t.Fatalf("FormatError = %q, want error + alias + message", output)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -195,7 +209,7 @@ func TestFormatTaskInfo_NoOptionalFields(t *testing.T) {
 		Tags:        []string{},
 		Urgency:     0,
 	}
-	output := FormatTaskInfo(task)
+	output := FormatTaskInfo(task, "0", nil)
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "simple-uuid") {
 		t.Fatalf("FormatTaskInfo missing UUID: %s", output)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/askcli/task_alias_cache.go b/internal/askcli/task_alias_cache.go
index c6a0ba2..e8243f0 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/task_alias_cache.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/task_alias_cache.go
@@ -57,6 +57,17 @@ func ensureTaskAliases(tasks []TaskExport) (map[string]string, error) {
 	return aliases, nil
 }
 
+func ensureTaskAliasesForUUIDs(uuids []string) (map[string]string, error) {
+	tasks := make([]TaskExport, 0, len(uuids))
+	for _, uuid := range uuids {
+		if uuid == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		tasks = append(tasks, TaskExport{UUID: uuid})
+	}
+	return ensureTaskAliases(tasks)
+}
+
 func loadTaskAliasCache() (taskAliasCache, string, error) {
 	path, err := taskAliasCachePath()
 	if err != nil {